16 students awarded Ford Scholarships

Sixteen students from Portland Community College have been awarded statewide Ford Family Foundation scholarships.

The Ford Family Foundation scholarships are broken down into three categories. The ReStart Scholarship is for students older than 25 with minimal college experience, who show promise in their studies and are starting over in their college careers. The Ford Opportunity Scholarship is for single parents and requires a 3.0 grade point average. The Ford Scholars is for high school seniors or transferring community college students who also have a minimum 3.0 GPA.

All three require community service, demonstrated leadership ability and financial need.

The Ford Family Foundation Scholarship Programs offer a suite of college financial and program resources in Oregon and Siskiyou County, Calif. The foundation looks for applicants of all ages with some special circumstances; for instance, they may not have had the encouragement, opportunity or the financial means to attend or complete higher education. These candidates have demonstrated their understanding of the values of work, taking responsibility, giving back and helping others.

The scholarship fulfills 90 percent of a student’s unmet need, which means after the student fills out their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and receives financial aid grants awarded by the college, the scholarship pays 90 percent of what remains. If students transfer within Oregon, they take the scholarship with them. Additionally, if the student maintains a 3.6 cumulative GPA through college they become eligible for assistance for graduate school.

About James Hill

James G. Hill, an award-winning journalist and public relations writer, has been the Communications Specialist for the Office of Public Affairs at Portland Community College since November of 1999. A graduate of Portland State University, J... more »